While most players on Ball State's offense is working on refining their skills this spring, senior offensive lineman Dan Manick is working on getting familiar to a new position.
Last season, Manick started all 12 games at tackle for Ball State. This spring, he's taking on playing the center position; a hole left by Kregg Hunter to graduation.
The first time Manick ever played center was on Tuesday, Ball State's first spring practice, and he said it's a lot different than playing tackle.
"I didn't think it would be too [different] because the schemes are basically the same," Manick said. "I knew what the center did on every play. But when you're lined up against someone it's a lot different. Everything is a lot quicker and guys are on you a lot faster."
He was told during the winter he would be moving from tackle to center and he was open to the position change. He spent the winter watching video of Hunter and former Ball State center Dan Gerberry. He even has had help from offensive line coach Nick Tabacca, who was also a former center for the Cardinals.
After becoming comfortable with playing tackle throughout the years, Manick said playing center is a new challenge he's up for trying.
"I knew we had a void," he said. "I thought if I could solidify that position we're going to have a very good offensive line. I'm kind of being baptized by fire this spring but I was open to the move."
Besides the departure of Hunter, Ball State returns the remaining starters on its offensive line from a season ago. Coach Pete Lembo said the decision to move Manick to center was a personnel decision.
"You're always trying to get your best five on the field," Lembo said. "We feel like he can do it at center. The center position in our system is more like the tackle athletically than the guards. Ours tend to be bigger guys where the tackles are more mobile.
"He's a biochem major so we feel like he can do it mentally as well."
Lembo said Manick has taken on the role well in the first week of spring practice. He admitted he had a few mistakes at Wednesday's practice, but thought he improved on Friday.
Because of the continuity on the offensive line, Lembo said it will do only positives for the offense in 2012. As for Manick, he said playing alongside linemen he is familiar with has helped him learn the position.
"It makes the world's difference," he said. "We mesh really well. But right now I'm the bump in the road cause I'm the new guy at my position."
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